حرم شاهچراغ
( Shah Cheragh )
Shah Cheragh (Persian: شاه چراغ) is a 12th century funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, Iran. It is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of the Light) in local traditions, and hence the building is named as such. The site is the 363th national monument of Iran.
The first structure over the grave of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa was built in the 13th century during the rule of the Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince.[1] He built a domed mausoleum over the grave and a porch. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen.[1] The mausoleum stayed in that state for several years until the rule of the Injuids.[1] During that time, female Injuid monarch, Queen Tash Khatun, further expanded the structure.[2]
During Safavid rule in the 16th century, the building was extensively renovated.[1] Then in the 18th century, Nader Shah Afshar donated a golden chandelier, which was hung under the dome.[3] But a few years later, an earthquake struck Shiraz, and the complex of Shah Cheragh was heavily damaged by the tremors. The golden chandelier was lost during this time. But a year after the earthquake had passed, a man named Qandeel found some remains of the donated gold, which he used to fund the reconstruction of the Shah Cheragh funerary monument.[4]
During the Qajar period, several repairs were made to the building.[3] A silver zarih was also installed around the grave.[3]
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